Tennessee Williams Tribute will include 'Stella Shouting Contest'

A bit of New Orleans will arrive in Columbus Sept. 10, when the Tennessee Williams Tribute welcomes a Stella Shouting Contest as part of its week-long festivities in the city of the playwright and poet''s birth in 1911.

Columbus businesswoman Gloria Herriott of Holly Hocks will host the contest from the wrought iron balcony of her gift shop at 204 Fifth Street South, adjacent to Leadership Plaza.

"This famous event may be viewed on YouTube and is always a hit of the New Orleans Tennessee Williams Festival," said Tribute chair and founder Brenda Caradine.

In Columbus, contestants on the street will offer their best rendition of Marlon Brando''s iconic "Stellaaa" yell made legendary in the 1951 movie, "A Streetcar Named Desire," based on Williams'' screenplay and Pulitzer-winning play. Judges and "Stella" will be watching from the balcony.

The winner and a guest will be invited up for a New Orleans-inspired dinner and a bottle of champagne on the balcony. Other finalists will receive gift certificates. A limited number of tickets to a balcony dinner party will be sold at Holly Hocks.

The contest is also sponsored by WCBI, Main Street Columbus and the Tribute Committee. For more information, contact Herriott at 662-329-0025.

The Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes Sept. 6-12 will include theatrical productions, scholars'' presentations, the Columbus movie premier of "The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond," a double decker bus tour, special Sunday service at St. Paul''s Episcopal Church and more. The Tribute has been recognized as a Southeast Tourism Top 20 Event for September for the fifth year.